Most purchases in Ireland are subject
to VAT (Value Added Tax) that varies between
12% and 21%. This tax is already included on in the
ticket price of the items you are buying. However, as
a visitor from outside the European Union you can reclaim
the VAT you have paid on many items prior to your departure.
There are two ways to reclaim VAT in Ireland:
Tax-Free Shopping and Duty Free. Below
are directions on how to take advantage of each.
What is Tax-Free
Shopping?
Tax-Free Shopping
is offered in a number of larger shopping establishments
and department stores such as Dunne's Stores, Roches
Stores, Brown Thomas, and other tourist oriented shops.
Shops that offer Tax-Free Shopping will have the Tax-Free
Shopping or CashBack sticker displayed either
on their shop window or at the cash registers/tills.
If you have any question about this ask any of the sales
representatives.
Tax-Free Shopping does not mean that you will
not be charged VAT but that you can get a refund at
the Tax-Free Shopping counter at the airport prior to
your departure. To get your refund:
If you're taking the items with you:
When your sales transaction is complete you will
be given a separate multi-part voucher that has
your total purchase written on it. Keep this with
the original store receipt.
Save all of the vouchers you receive while shopping
around Ireland with the original store receipt.
When you have time fill in your name, address and
phone number on each of the vouchers and be sure
that each of the original store receipts are attached.
When you are leaving Ireland you will need to turn
these in at the airport. Check in at your airline,
get your boarding pass then go to the Tax-Free Shopping
counter where you will turn these vouchers in.
If you're having items shipped home:
Your sales representative will have deducted the
tax on the items you're purchasing.
Obtain from the sales representative the multi-part
voucher stating that you have already received your
tax refund.
Be sure to turn these vouchers in before boarding
the plane.
What
is Duty?
Duty Free is another
form of tax free shopping. You will find Duty Free Shops
in the airports, on ferries, and on airplanes. Shops
that offer Duty Free will be called DFS or Duty Free
Shop.
Duty is a tax imposed by governments on the
import of certain products, primarily tobacco, alcohol
and some electrical goods. Duty Free shopping allows
you to purchase goods up to a certain limit without
paying any duty on them. Check the notices up in airports
and ferry ports for up to date limits, or if in doubt
ask a sales representative.
Current limits are:
One litre of spirits
Two litres of wine
200 cigarettes
50 grams of perfume
You will be given a similar multi-part voucher as Tax-Free
Shopping but in this case the duty is taken off the bill
at the point of purchase. You must have a credit card
for these purchases. You will be required to fill in and
return these vouchers at the DFS desk in Dublin, Shannon
or Belfast International airport before departure. This
proves the item is leaving the country. You must have
a boarding pass to prove departure so be sure to check
in first.
If you fail to turn these vouchers in you must
have them notarized when you get home and posted back
to the DFS office in Ireland in the envelope given to
you at the shop where you bought these duty free items.
If you fail to do so within 90 days of returning home
the duty will be charged back to your card.
